Where: 48, rue Jules Vallès
When: Saturday, Sunday & Monday
Hours: 7:30am – 6 pm
Size: 2500 vendors
Metro: Porte de Clignancourt, Line 4, Porte de St-Ouen (line 13)
Bus: Lines 86 and 56

Started in 1870, this has evolved into the world’s largest fleamarket, and the most well known. They’ve just received a historical status so, happily, it will always be there. In this enormous market are lots of smaller ones, each with its own flavor and personality. Some are permanently indoors, others in little shop stalls and still others set up outside for the day. This market is like a city itself, filled with objets de beauty! Enjoy hunting, look in nooks and crannies, and get dirty. You never know what will turn up so dig into boxes, look in corners. Most people will tell you that there are no bargains here. I’ll tell you there are if you take the time to look for them and hit all the streets and pockets, you’ll find them.

One of my favorite vendors is Stephane Blanc at 23 rue Paul Bert. He sells gorgeous mirrors, chairs and chandeliers at great prices. He speaks English and has been in business at this market for 17 years. If you need a translator or great deal, find him and feel right at home.

March Biron:

85 rue des Rosiers
High end market with 220 down 2 aisles. One is over the top tacky furniture and gilded lillies, but the second aisle is more intimate and interesting. Friday is for trade pros, Saturday and Sunday are open to the public.
Look for: Armoires, textiles, jewelry, mirrors, frames

Marche Dauphine:

140 rue des Rosiers
This is the cornerstone of the market with 180 dealers selling furniture, artifacts, mirrors, and housing craftsmen who so amazing restoration work. There’s a rare book square and mostly higher end pieces in this 2 story giant.

Vernaison:

136 avenue Michelet
My favorite market. It’s a maze of alleys and crooked streets. The quintessential fleamarket experience. Look for antique books, paintings, ephemera, lampshades, anything! Late afternoon stop in at the restaurant Òchez LouisetteÓ for great French atmosphere.

Le Marché Malassis:

142 rue des Rosiers
Indoor market at the entrance to the Paris Saint-Ouen flea. Dealers like to keep themed boutiques, selling art, textiles, watches and modern furniture as well as traditional pieces.

Rosiers Market:

3 rue Paul Bert
This is an upscale indoor market (not to be confused with the street of the same name).
There are only about 10 vendors, many specializing in Art Deco, Art Nouveau, and Louis XVI lighting.

Antica:

rue des Rosiers
Miniature market, with a wonderful selection of objects in a hushed atmosphere. It is an elegant gallery that lies alongside the Vernaison Market. There are only a dozen or so stands here, inviting you to discover their beautiful objects, tapestries, ornaments, Art Deco

Serpette Market:

The 130 traders who work in Serpette Market are the ones to come to for a number of specialities, not only for fashionable goods, but also for art nouveau, up until the 1940s. Serpette is a market of the highest quality, a reputation that the merchants are extremely keen to conserve.